WO2013135851A2

WO2013135851A2 - Railway, rail vehicle for traveling on the railway, and assembly including the railway and the rail vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2013135851A2
Application number: PCT/EP2013/055309
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jurgen WAX EBELING
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies Sas
Priority date: 2012-03-14
Filing date: 2013-03-14
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Also published as: EP2825412A2; PL2825412T3; EP2825412B1; CN104321217A; MX2014010556A; FR2988063B1; CA2864452A1; WO2013135851A3; ES2762202T3; FR2988063A1; CN104321217B; CA2864452C; MX338496B

Abstract

The invention relates to a railway for a rail vehicle, including two parallel lines of rails (4) extending along a longitudinal median line (L) while being transversely spaced apart. Said railway further includes, on at least one longitudinal section, a line of plates (6) extending along the longitudinal median line (L) and forming a stationary portion of a linear induction motor. Each plate (6) is electrically conductive and either magnetic with nonpermanent magnetization, or nonmagnetic. Each plate (6) is electrically insulated.

Description

Railway track, railway vehicle for running on the railway track and assembly comprising the railway track and the railway vehicle

The present invention relates to the field of traction systems of railway vehicles intended to circulate along railway tracks, in particular the field of trams intended to run along railways in urban areas.

Tramway tracks may have, at least on sections, a steep slope making it difficult to climb or descend for a conventional metal-wheeled tram because of the relatively reliable adhesion of the metal wheels to the metal tracks of the track. railway.

It is possible to provide pneumatic wheels, but this increases the rolling resistance and energy required for the propulsion of the railway vehicle.

DE 10 2006 035 092 A1 discloses an assembly comprising a railway provided with permanent magnets and a railway vehicle provided with a synchronous linear electric motor adapted to cooperate with the permanent magnets to generate a traction force of the vehicle, for example in the sloping sections of the railway.

Nevertheless, such a set is expensive because it requires to have permanent magnets along the railway, and is not satisfactory for use in the city.

One of the aims of the invention is to propose a traction system for a rail vehicle allowing improved traction that is suitable for use in the city.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a railroad track for a railway vehicle, comprising two rows of parallel rails extending along a longitudinal central line and being spaced transversely, characterized in that it furthermore comprises, on at least one longitudinal section , a line of plates extending along the longitudinal center line and forming a fixed part of a linear induction motor, each plate being electrically conductive and magnetic non-permanent magnetic or nonmagnetic, each plate being electrically insulated.

According to other embodiments, the railway comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

the row of plates is arranged between the rows of rails;

the plates are electrically insulated by a longitudinal joint along each longitudinal edge of the plates;

each plate is electrically insulated from each adjacent plate by a transverse seal; each plate is electrically isolated from a support structure of the railway track by at least one electrically insulating support element interposed between the plate and the support structure;

the plates are made of aluminum;

- the railway line extends into the city.

The invention also relates to a railway vehicle intended to circulate along a railway as defined above, comprising at least one inductor forming a moving part of a linear induction motor, the or each inductor being configured to generate a magnetic field capable of inducing induced currents in the plates of the railroad opposite, to generate in reaction a longitudinal force.

According to other embodiments, the railway vehicle comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

the or each inductor which is mounted on an unsprung portion of a bogie of the vehicle.

the or each inductor is mounted via a height adjustment system making it possible to vary the height of the or each inductor with respect to the railway;

- It further comprises at least one wheel drive motor for driving in rotation of the wheels of at least one axle of a bogie of the vehicle.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a railway and a railway vehicle for traveling along the railway as defined above.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which;

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an assembly according to the invention comprising a railway and a railway vehicle traveling on the railway;

- Figures 2 and 3 are views of the railway respectively sectional in a transverse plane and in elevation from above;

- Figure 4 is a sectional view in a transverse plane of the railway and a bogie of the vehicle;

- Figure 5 is a schematic top view of the bogie; and

- Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 illustrating a bogie according to a variant.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the assembly 1 comprises a railway track 2 is a railway vehicle 3 traveling on the railway track 2. The railway 2 and the rail vehicle 3 comprise a linear induction motor or asynchronous linear motor for driving the railway vehicle 3 with respect to the railway 2. The linear induction motor comprises a fixed part integrated into the railway 2 and a moving part carried by the railway vehicle 3.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the railway track 2 comprises two rows of parallel rails 4 extending along a longitudinal center line L and spaced transversely, and a row of plates 6 extending along the longitudinal center line L. The row of plates 6 forms the fixed part of the linear induction motor.

In the remainder of the description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "longitudinal", "transverse", "up" and "down" refer to the railway and its longitudinal line.

The rails 4 and the plate queue 6 are arranged on a support surface

8.

Each line of rails 4 comprises a series of rails placed end-to-end while being connected to each other at their adjacent ends, for example by welding or by means of splints.

The row of plates 6 comprises a series of plates 6 placed end to end flat between the rows of rails 4. Each plate 6 extends substantially horizontally and transversely between the rows of rails 4.

Each plate 6 is rectangular and comprises two longitudinal edges 6A parallel to the opposite rails 4 and two transverse edges 6B extending transversely with respect to the rails 4. The plates 6 are solid. Each plate is thin, its thickness being small compared to its length and its width.

The plates are electrically conductive, and magnetic with non-permanent or non-magnetic magnetization. Preferably, the plates are non-magnetic.

A magnetic plate with non-permanent magnetization has a magnetic susceptibility. It is reversibly magnetisable. It can be temporarily magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field - or magnetic excitation - and be demagnetized when the external magnetic field disappears.

An amagnetic plate has zero magnetic susceptibility and does not magnetize in the presence of an external magnetic field.

The plates are advantageously solid and made of a magnetic electricity conductive material with non-permanent or non-magnetic magnetization.

The plates are advantageously made of aluminum, which is a non-magnetic material. Each plate 6 is electrically insulated. Each plate 6 is thus devoid of electrical connection with another conductive element.

The track 2 comprises at least one support member 10, electrically insulating, supporting each plate 6. Each support element 10 is interposed between the corresponding plate 6 and the support surface 8. Each plate 6 is thus electrically isolated from the surface support 8.

Each support member 10 holds the corresponding plate 6 vertically, longitudinally and transversely. The track 2 here comprises a plurality of support members 10 supporting each plate 6. Each support member 10 is for example formed of an elastomeric block.

Each plate 6 is electrically insulated from each adjacent plate 6 by an electrically insulating transverse seal 12. Each transverse seal 12 is interposed between the adjacent transverse edges 6B of the plates 6 of a pair of adjacent plates 6.

This electrical isolation avoids the passage of stray and harmful currents to the performance and safety of pedestrians outside the limits of the vehicle.

Each plate 6 is electrically insulated by longitudinal joints 14 which are electrically insulating and which extend along the longitudinal edges 6A of the plates 6.

The track 2 comprises spacers 16, made for example of concrete, extending longitudinally along the rows of rails 6, between the rails 6. The spacers 16 make it possible to maintain the spacing between the rows of rails 4.

The track 2 comprises, between each line of rails 6 and the spacer 16 adjacent, a longitudinal joint member 18 of elastomer.

The spacers 16 are interposed between the plates 6 and each row of rails 4. Each spacer 16 is interposed between a row of rails 4 and the row of plates 6. Each plate 6 is disposed transversely between the spacers 16 which thus provide transverse support. plates 6.

Each longitudinal joint 14 is interposed between the plates 6 and a spacer 16 and electrically isolates the plates 6 from the spacers 16.

Returning to Figure 1, the railway vehicle 3 comprises bogies 22 having at least one axle 24, each axle 24 comprising two coaxial wheels 26. Each bogie 22 here comprises two axles 24, and may alternatively comprise a single axle (single-axle bogie).

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a bogie 22 of the railway vehicle 3 having means forming a moving part 25 of linear induction motor, which are suitable for cooperate with the plates 6 of the railway 2 to generate a longitudinal force for driving the railway vehicle 3.

The bogie 22 has two axles 24 (Figure 6). Each axle 24 has an axle axis E-E and comprises two coaxial wheels 26 rotatably mounted about the axle axis E-E at the ends of a cross member 28.

The cross member 28 is an unsprung portion of the bogie. In a manner known per se, the bogie 22 comprises a frame suspended on the crossmember 28 by means of a primary suspension, and a secondary suspension arranged on the chassis to suspend a vehicle body on the chassis.

The cross member 28 is of the portal-like type and includes a transverse beam 30 offset downwardly with respect to the axle axis EE and two end portions 32 extending upwardly from the ends of the beam. transverse 30, each end portion 32 supporting a wheel 26 rotatable about the axle axis E-E. This type of cross member allows to lower the floor of the railway vehicle.

The bogie 22 comprises a plate-shaped inductor carrier 36 carrying inductors 38. The inductors 38 are capable of generating a magnetic field when they are supplied with electricity. Inductors 38 are for example provided in the form of electric coils.

The bogie 22 comprises a power supply unit 40 for supplying the inductors 38 with electrical energy.

The inductor holder 36 is mounted on the crosspieces 28 so as to extend parallel to the plates 6, substantially horizontally and transversely, being spaced from the plates 6 by an air gap 42.

The inductor holder 36 is thus supported on an unsprung portion of the bogie 22, which ensures a constant air gap 42, to wear near the wheels 26.

The inductor holder 36 is arranged longitudinally between the two axles 24 of the bogie. Shock absorbing abutments 44, for example elastomer stops, are interposed between the longitudinal ends 36A of the inductor holder 36 and the crosspieces 28.

The inductor gate 36, the inductors 38 and the power supply unit form the moving part 25 of linear induction motor.

In operation, the power supply unit 40 supplies the inductors 38 so as to generate a variable inductive magnetic field. This variable magnetic field generates induced currents (or eddy currents) in each plate 6 opposite the inductor carrier 36 subjected to the inductive magnetic field. Each plate 6 being electrically insulated, the induced currents circulate in a loop in the plate 6 and generate an induced magnetic field which opposes the inductive magnetic field, which allows to generate in reaction a longitudinal force.

In the case of nonmagnetic plates, the induced magnetic field generated by the eddy current appears temporarily in the presence of active inductors 38 and then disappears.

In the case of magnetic plates with non-permanent magnetization, an induced magnetic field resulting from the magnetic field generated by the eddy currents and a magnetization magnetic field appear temporarily in the presence of the active inductors 38 and then disappear.

Thus, the magnetic field induced in the plates 6 appears only in the presence of the active inductors 38 and disappears in the absence of the inductors 38. Thus, the plates 6 do not generate a magnetic field in the absence of the vehicle which allows their use in a city without the risk of disturbances for pedestrians and electronic equipment, for example cardiac pacemakers (or "pacemakers" in English). Preferably, the plates 6 are non-magnetic to limit any risk of disturbance.

The currents induced in the plates 6 could represent a danger for people nearby.

Thus, preferably, the length of the plates 6 is provided so that the plates 6 capable of driving induced currents, when the or each asynchronous linear electric motor is active, are covered by the railway vehicle 3.

In an embodiment, the cumulative length of two consecutive plates 6 of the row of plates 6 is less than the length of the railway vehicle 3.

Optionally, as shown in Figure 6, the inductor holder 38 is mounted vertically movable relative to the cross members 38 between a low active position (Figure 4) and a high rest position (Figure 6). The high rest position makes it possible to maintain a greater vertical spacing when the mobile part 25 of linear induction motor is not active.

Preferably, the railway vehicle 3 comprises at least one wheel drive motor 50 for driving in rotation of 26 driving wheels, here two. Each wheel drive motor 50 is mechanically coupled to each wheel driven by this motor. The or each wheel drive motor 50 is used primarily to drive the railway vehicle 3, and the linear induction motor is used auxiliary, for example for the passage of sloping sections of the track 2.

In this case, it is possible to provide first sections of railway with no plates, and second sections provided with plates to cooperate. with the inductors of the railway vehicle. Preferably, the second sections are sloped sections having a slope greater than that of the first sections.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to ensure the training of a rail vehicle in a railway with a steep slope, without risk for pedestrians in the city.

In sections of low slope, the rail vehicle is driven by rotation drive axle wheels and friction of the wheels on the rails, and, in sections of steeper slope, the asynchronous linear electric motor cooperates with the plates of the railway to generate additional training effort, without risk to pedestrians around the railway.

In the absence of a rail vehicle, the plates do not generate a potentially disruptive magnetic field for pedestrians.

The invention applies in particular to railway tracks, and more generally to any type of railway, urban or extra-urban.

Claims

1. - Railroad track for a railway vehicle, comprising two parallel rails (4) extending along a longitudinal center line (L), being transversely spaced, characterized in that it comprises, in addition, on at least one longitudinal section, a row of plates (6) extending along the longitudinal centerline (L) and forming a fixed part of an asynchronous linear induction motor, each plate (6) being electrically conductive and magnetic with non-permanent or non-magnetic magnetization, each plate (6) being electrically insulated.

2. - Railway according to claim 1, wherein the queue of plates (6) is disposed between the rows of rails (4).

3. - Railway according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plates (6) are electrically insulated by a longitudinal joint (14) along each longitudinal edge (6A) of the plates (6).

4. - Railway according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each plate (6) is electrically insulated from each plate (6) adjacent by a transverse seal (12).

5. - Railway according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each plate (6) is electrically isolated from a support structure (8) of the railway track (2) by at least one support member (10). electrically insulating interposed between the plate and the support structure (8)

6. - Railway according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plates (6) are aluminum.

7. - Railway according to any one of the preceding claims, extending in the city.

8. A railway vehicle provided for traveling along a railway line according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one inductor (38) forming a moving part of an asynchronous linear induction motor, the or each inductor ( 38) being configured to generate a magnetic field capable of inducing induced currents in plates (6) of the railroad track (2) facing each other, in order to generate a longitudinal force in response.

9. - railway vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the or each inductor (38) is mounted on an unsprung portion of a bogie (22) of the vehicle.

10. - railway vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the or each inductor (38) is mounted via a height adjustment system for varying the height of the or each inductor (38) by compared to the railway.

1 1. - Railway vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one wheel drive motor for driving in rotation of the wheels of at least one axle of a truck of the vehicle.

12. An assembly comprising a railway track according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a railway vehicle according to any one of the claims.

8 to 1 1 traveling on the railway.